Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road
Plan a road trip across the Great Ocean Road
The Twelve Apostles may be the most popular landmark on the Great Ocean Road, but there's still plenty to see on your journey. For the ultimate coastal experience, check out our Melbourne to Port Fairy road trip guide and kick-start your adventure with us today.
Pick up the right car hire for your journey
Before you take off on your road trip across the Great Ocean Road, you'll need to pick up a set of wheels that can comfortably get you across Victoria’s southern coast. Browse our extensive range of budget-friendly vehicles and pick up your booking from one of our conveniently located Melbourne branches.
Melbourne
From late-night concerts to international cricket matches, there's never a shortage of fun things to do in Melbourne. Between activities, be sure to check out the cluster of trendy cafés in the CBD, which are widely considered the best in the country.
Geelong 75 km
Just over an hour outside of Melbourne, Geelong is a former industrial hub that has recently become a hotspot for hipsters. If you're keen to check out the local art scene, head over to the Boom Gallery and browse some of the city's top exhibitions. Or, if you're more of an outdoor type, there's plenty to see at the Botanical Gardens in Eastern Park.
Torquay 22 km
From Geelong, take the short drive down to Torquay and hit the waves at Bells Beach. If you've never surfed before or you need a quick refresher course, be sure to get in touch with the team at the Torquay Surf Academy to organise a lesson. Once the swell settles down, wander over to the Marine Sanctuary at Point Danger and explore the stunning limestone reef, which is home to some of the most fascinating sea creatures on Australia’s East Coast.
Apollo Bay 92.5 km
Nestled between the coastline and the Great Otway National Park, Apollo Bay offers visitors the best of both worlds. For an inland adventure, lace up your hiking boots and follow Madsens Track through the dense rainforest of the Melba Gully or, if you're keen to get back in the water, join a kayak tour and paddle alongside the local seal colonies at the beach. To top off the day, pick up some fish and chips and enjoy dinner with a view at Marriners Lookout.
The Twelve Apostles 87 km
On the way to Warrnambool from Apollo Bay, be sure to stop off and check out the Twelve Apostles at Port Campbell. Towering over the Southern Ocean, these iconic limestone pillars are easily visible from the viewing platform on land. But if you're after a closer look, helicopter tours run frequently throughout the day, with tickets available from the kiosk by the carpark.
Warrnambool 73 km
Once you arrive in Warrnambool, head to the Foreshore Promenade and take a load off at the Pavilion Café & Bar. From the Promenade, venture inland to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and hop between historic lighthouses before settling in for the immersive light show at The Wharf Theatre. If you're visiting between May and October, be sure to visit Logans Beach, where southern right whales can be spotted from the viewing platform.
Port Fairy 28.5 km
Port Fairy may seem like an old-timey town, but this charming seaside village is home to one of the biggest fishing ports in Victoria. Watch local fishermen bring in their daily haul on the wharf or, if you're keen to get your hands dirty, join them on a guided tour on the water. In town, hop between boutiques and galleries before celebrating the end of an unforgettable road trip at Blake's Restaurant.
Click here to download this road trip in a printable PDF format.
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